Portret van Ludwig Georg Christoph von Schlammersdorf 1753

This engraving of Ludwig Georg Christoph von Schlammersdorf was made by Georg Lichtensteger. The composition is dominated by the portrait of a man, framed within a rectangular border which leads our eyes around the image. The artist uses contrasting textures and tones to draw our attention to Schlammersdorf's face and hands. The formal attire, with its intricate embellishments, signifies status. The presence of the tree in the background creates a dialogue between the natural world and the constructed identity of the subject. Lichtensteger, through the formal arrangement of elements, destabilizes the boundary between mere representation and the construction of social identity. This print reflects the intersection of art, identity, and social structures, inviting us to explore the layers of meaning embedded within its formal elements.